So will Democratic Senators allow Republicans to stop repeal of DADT? Gays under the bus again?

[Better Believe It]

Senate repeal of ban on gays in military falters
Objections from two moderate Republicans keep GOP filibuster intact
Associated Press
September 21, 2010


WASHINGTON — A Senate bill to repeal the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy appeared headed for defeat Tuesday, a major setback for gay groups that saw the vote as their last chance this year to overturn the 17-year-old ban.

Advocates had been optimistic that the Democratic-controlled White House and Congress could overcome objections to repeal of the law barring gays from serving openly in the military. The move is unpopular among Republicans, military officers and social conservatives.

But in the end, Senate Democrats were expected to fall at least one vote short of the 60 needed to limit debate and advance the legislation.

Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins, the only Republican to support repealing the law and widely seen as the crucial 60th vote, announced Tuesday that she would not support the bill because Democrats wouldn't allow the Republicans sufficient leeway to offer amendments.

Now, gay rights advocates say they worry they have lost a crucial opportunity to change the law. If Democrats lose seats in the upcoming elections this fall, repealing the law will prove even more difficult — if not impossible — next year.

"The whole thing is a political train wreck," said Richard Socarides, a former White House adviser on gay rights during the Clinton administration.

Socarides said President Barack Obama "badly miscalculated" the Pentagon's support for repeal, while Democrats made only a "token effort" to advance the bill.

"If it was a priority for the Democratic leadership, they would get a clean vote on this," he said.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39286687/ns/politics-capitol_hill?GT1=43001

The Senate Democrats have lots of options to pass the repeal of DADT in this session of the Senate. Don't let Senator Reid b.s. you.

1. Democrats can and should make the debate continue in the Senate. Don't withdraw the bill and keep the Senate in session until 60 votes are obtained to end the debate. In fact, Senator Reid has the power to use Senate Rule 22 to force Republicans to engage in a real filibuster on the Senate floor if he so chooses.

2. Senator Reid has the power to end his "two-track" procedure whereby the Senate can take up other Senate business while a bogus pretend Republican filibuster is taking place in opposition to repeal of DADT. Don't limit the debate! Let the Republicans tie up the Senate until hell freezes over. Don't let them go home! Bring out the cots. Let's test their resolve.

3. Senator Reid has the power to keep the Senate in session around the clock and can call upon Democratic Senators to take and hold the Senate floor in support of repealing DADT until such time as Republicans decide they want to end the "debate" so they cango home.

4. Senator Reid can use the "Constitutional Option" to prevent any kind of Republican filibuster and have an up and down vote on the repeal measure.

5. President Obama can weigh in and support the repeal of DADT. Tokenism isn't acceptable.

BBI

[laughingliberal]

1. K & R nt

[golddigger]

2. K&R

[soleft]

3. I just saw a thread that says vote is going forward

[Better Believe It]

5. And if 60 votes aren't in hand, don't withdraw the bill! Keep it on the floor!

Don't surrender to Republican obstructionists yet again.

[Warpy]

4. it would be a serious mistake if they did

because not only would it be just another betrayal of what they told us they were all about as Democrats, the policy is a bad one that has cost the military too many good people over the years. It is just not working.

[Renew Deal]

6. So wait.... All the Democrats will vote for it and all the republicans against it

And it's the Democrats fault it doesn't pass? That's craziness.

[Better Believe It]

7. If the bill isn't withdrawn and Democrats challenge Republican obstructionism it will pass.

[Better Believe It]

15. They only voted on whether or not to end debate.

So keep the debate going, don't withdraw the legislation and keep the Senate in session on this one bill until 60 Senators vote to end the discussion.

[truebrit71]

8. I'll give you three guesses 1- Of course 2-Does a bear shit in the woods 3- are you fucking mad?

...Under the bus you go!!!!

Harry 'Sack-Less' Reid is right now drafting a sternly worded letter and will hand it to the bigots on the other side of the Senate, and then he will tell us all at a presser how we should all be proud of the way they are STILL managing to keep their powder dry...

[RKP5637]

9. Recommend!!! n/t

[foxfeet]

10. K&R

[Better Believe It]

11. The Senate voted 56-43 in favor of ending debate. Now will Democrats withdraw the bill or ....

keep the bill alive and let the "debate" continue until they get 60 votes to end debate?

[ProSense]

12. They're not going to withdraw the bill.

That's why Reid voted no.

[Individualist]

13. The DLC controlled Democrats will withdraw the bill

"The Democratic Leadership Council's agenda is indistinguishable from the Republican Neoconservative agenda," Dennis Kucinich

[Better Believe It]

14. If that's the case, why in the world should Collins or other "moderate" Repubs vote for cloture?

I don't think indicating your willingness to surrender to Republican obstructionists (by withdrawing a bill)once a single cloture vote is conducted is a strategy to get a bill passed.

And Senator Reid along with several other Democratic Senators are fully aware of that. It's not stupidity on their part.

[Better Believe It]

16. Kick